Regardless of whether she did or didn't, there is much to be learned from Sadako's story.Īfter her death, schoolchildren all over Japan helped raise money to erect a statue honoring Sadako Sasaki and in 1958, as statue was unveiled. There is some controversy over whether or not Sadako actually did finish folding 1,000 cranes. There are no detailed graphic images described about the war, the bomb or even to after effects, only an acknowledgement of these things. It is a perfect book for introducing this difficult topic to young readers. Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes is a emotionally, powerful story. But, according to Eleanor Coerr in her Epilogue, Sadako's classmates finished folding the rest of the cranes for Sadako. Sadako didn't finish folding all the cranes before she passed away on October 25, 1955. That very night, Sadako begin folding cranes.īut folding one thousand cranes is a big job, especially when you are ill. Now confined to a hospital bed, her friend Chizuko came to visit one day and brought Sadako a beautiful golden origami crane, along with some paper and scissors.Ĭhizuko reminded Sadako of the legend of the crane - if a sick person folds one thousand paper cranes, the gods will grant their wish and make them healthy again. Taken to the hospital, Sadako and her family learned that she did, indeed, have the A-bomb disease - Leukemia.

Sadako, in the middle of the front row, with her relay team Sadako did manage to keep the dizziness secret for a few months, until February 1955 when she collapsed while running in school.

After all, she was a really fast runner and had just been chosen to run the relay race in school. Although the feeling came and went, Sadako decided to keep it to herself. Sadako and her best friend, Chizuko, spent a wonderful Peace Day together.īut then, in the fall, Sadako began to feel strange and dizzy. But Sadako, who was 2 years old at the time the bomb hit Hiroshima, considered herself lucky to have survived the it without a scratch and avoiding its after effects, the dreaded A-Bomb disease. Still, her parents had to remind Sadako that Peace Day was a solemn occasion, a day for remembering that the first atomic bomb ever used - the Thunderbolt - was dropped on Hiroshima by the United States in an effort to end the World War II and for honoring the many, many lives lost because of it. Sadako knew it was going to be a good day because she saw nothing less than a good luck sign in the bright blue sky over Hiroshima that day. Sadako loved Peace Day - the crowds, the fireworks and, especially the cotton candy. It was Peace Day, Augand 12 year old Sadako Sasaki couldn't wait for the day to begin.

Sadako eleanor coerr